After two cagey rounds of games at the Copa America, save for Argentina’s swatting of Costa Rica, the championship burst into life Wednesday as Brazil hit four goals against Ecuador to reach the quarter-finals.
While the samba stars were finally getting their act together with a 4-2 win thanks to doubles from Neymar and Pato their Group B rivals Venezuela, not to be outdone, served up even more of a thriller in sharing six goals with Paraguay.
In the shakeout of those two results reigning champions Brazil won the group by the scruff of their necks, by a goal difference of plus two to plus one for the Venezuelans, who came back from two goals down against the Paraguayans to score twice in stoppage time and preserve their unbeaten record.
The Brazilians, who were in ominous attacking mode from the start, will now Sunday face the Paraguayans, who go through as one of the two best third-placed finishers.
“That was the game we wanted to play. We wanted to win and to take top spot,” said Pato.
“When we lose we all lose and when we win we all win together. The whole team played really well – it’s a great result,” said the AC Milan striker.
Ecuador’s Felipe Caicedo, who grabbed both his side’s goals, said he and his teammates were downcast after giving it their best shot – but coming rock bottom of the group with a solitary point.
“We’re a bit sad – we gave it all we had. It hurts. We wanted to make history but we hope the experience will stand us in good stead for the World Cup qualifiers,” said Caicedo.
Coach Mano Menezes brought back Robinho for an attacking line-up having dropped the AC Milan man for the draw with Paraguay and he responded with a hard-running showing while Ganso and Andre Santos also starred at the hub of the side as the ‘jogo bonito’ returned to the Brazilian game.
Robino had an effort chalked off for offside late on but by then it was academic.
Pato’s opening header on 28 minutes set the tone – although Caicedo levelled seven minutes before the interval with a low shot which embarrassed Julio Cesar in the Brazilian goal.
Santos starlet Neymar smacked the favourites back in front four minutes after combat resumed and although Caicedo promptly responded with another low effort the Brazilians then raced through the gears against rivals who had little more to give.
On the hour Neymar shot, keeper Marcelo Elizaga emulated Cesar in making a fumble of his own and Pato bundled in before Maicon hared down the right and Neymar clipped in from four yards out with 18 minutes remaining.
-With The Daily Star input
